I have just really gotten into Dallas Willard and am liking what I have found so far. I really enjoy reading N.T. Wright and Ben Witherington. A couple of questions for you:
1 – Who are your favorite Christian authors?
2 – Who do you think is the best Christian writer out there people don’t know about?
If you are a student of the Bible and seriously love to dig into the scriptures and get as much
In the Bible truth is often paired with other things like “grace and truth” or “Spirit and truth.” Maybe God
Once we understand who we are defending against (Part 1) and what it is we are defending (Part 2) we
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I have enjoyed Dallas Willard, though sometimes he is difficult for me to follow. One of his better books, I believe, to get the general drift of his message is The Great Omission, which is the making of disciples.
With a message similar to Willard, but focusing more on the mechanics of the spiritual disciplines, is Richard Foster.
I have always enjoyed C. S. Lewis – and have recently enjoyed reading some from Martin Luther (to go back in time a ways). Current authors that I enjoy include Edward Fudge, N.T. Wright and Timothy Keller (though I’ve only read one of his books, The Prodigal God.
I just picked up most of Willard’s books but didn’t get The Great Omission. Is it worth buying? I really enjoy reading the others you have listed as well. Prodigal God was a little predictable but still a quality book. Keller has some decent discussion starters called “The Reason for God” that also has a DVD discussion that is decent.
The Great Omission is a collection of his speeches over several years. It likely has little that this other books, taken as a whole, do not have – but it has it in a more simplified way but sometimes only hints at things he develops elsewhere in greater depth and detail.
#1 on my list is Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I also love C.S. Lewis, and I have recently discovered that I love Henri Nouwen. I also agree about Richard Foster, although he would be in the second tier. How’s that for a list – a Lutheran, an Anglican and a Roman Catholic.
As for your second question, the best author nobody knows about is me 🙂 . Of course, I haven’t written anything yet, so maybe I don’t qualify, but when I do write something it will truly be forgettable.
DB’s Cost of Discipleship is certainly a classic. I haven’t really read anything else from him. Foster is pretty good and certainly a standard work on spiritual disciplines. As far as that Paul Smith guy goes, he can write pretty well too 🙂
1. Tony Dungy, Dennis Rainey, John Piper, Francis Chan, Harold Shank
2. Arthur Randall has written a few very good novels; but as far as I can tell, no one knows about him.
Terry, any titles in particular from Shank & Piper?
I really liked Harold Shank’s “Up Close and Personal: Embracing the Poor”. It inspired me when my wife and I were first starting in urban ministry. I also liked “Children Mean the World to God”. It was very encouraging when we were going through the adoption process. And I liked his College Press Commentary on the Minor Prophets (Volume 1). Nothing has helped me to understand the minor prophets better than Harold’s commentary.
John Piper’s “Don’t Waste Your Life” was one of the most motivational books I’ve ever read. It encourages readers to live our lives for Christ’s glory (rather than for lesser self-centered pursuits). I am reading his newest book, “Bloodlines”, a book about how the gospel relates to race and racism. I’m interested in his perspective since he is also a white man with a black child. So far, it has been very interesting.
For #2 – Matthew R. Kelly
For me, its a dead tie between Foy Wallace, Jr and Max Lacado 🙂
Hank,
I’ll say one thing. Either you jest or your interests are very divergent.
Lol, Jerry… I was just trying to be funny.